Salem police ask for public's help after lewd incidents at bookstore

Salem police are looking for this man in connection with an alleged lewd incident at Barnes and Noble on Tuesday. (Courtesy)

SALEM - Salem detectives are investigating several incidents of indecent exposure and lewd activity in the Barnes and Noble store on South Broadway and are asking for the public's help in identifying the most recent suspect.

'There have been three documented incidents since June with what detectives believe are three different suspects,' said Deputy Police Chief Shawn Patten. 'The latest incident occurred this past Tuesday.'

In the latest incident, a woman said she was sitting on the floor reading at the bookstore around 7 p.m. on Tuesday when an unfamiliar, older white male with tan shorts and curly grayish hair approached her.

The woman said the man knelt down next to her, exposed himself, and began masturbating, according to Patten.

'The victim said that she threw her book on the shelf and ran to find and employee,' said Patten.

The suspect then fled the store. Police have several photos of the suspect from the store and are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Robert Genest at (603) 890-2381.